EC welcomes recommendations for research on food security at EXPO in Milan

The European Commission (EC) welcomed new recommendations on how European research and innovation can help improve food and nutrition security around the world on 15 October 2015 at the the international conference on food and nutrition security, taking place at EXPO 2015. The recommendations had been prepared by independent EU scientific committee chaired by former EU Commissioner Franz Fischler, based on a broad consultation process and coordinated by the Joint Research Center (JRC).

The findings are part of a larger collection of scientific knowledge on the issue of food security and offer directions for research and innovation actions at EU and international level in the future. A central recommendation is for the EU to work with its partners to establish an international panel of experts on food and nutrition security to strengthen research efforts on this topic. Other findings include the need to raise greater awareness of food security issues among policy makers and consumers/citizens; improve collaboration between farmers, research institutions, governments and industry and stimulate innovation across the food chain - from farm to plate - through a range of funding instruments, including at EU level.

Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, and responsible for the JRC, said: "Continuous scientific progress is needed to help us ensure safe and nutritious food for all. I welcome the great effort made by scientists, policy makers, industry representatives and citizens to compile evidence on food security challenges. These recommendations are a truly valuable basis for future research actions at EU level." The findings have also been welcomed by EU Commissioners Carlos Moedas (Research, Science and Innovation), Phil Hogan (Agriculture and Rural Development), Vytenis Andriukaitis (Health and Food Safety) and Neven Mimica (International Cooperation and Development).